Corn About Two Weeks Behind Schedule, But Forecasts Are Positive

Although the growing season has had a rough start, farmers are still optimistic about their crops for the year.

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A cool spring and recent floods may have an impact on Southeast Missouri’s corn and soybean crops for this year.

Corn planting in particular has been delayed. Anthony Ohmes is a Regional Agronomy Specialist for the University of Missouri Extension. He said Southeast Missouri’s planting season is a little behind schedule, but not nearly as delayed as other parts of the state.

“Ground temperature for corn needs to be 55 degrees or higher for planting,” Ohmes said. “Ground temperatures in northern Missouri didn’t reach 55 until way later than normal, planting range. Here, we received those ground temperatures in a fairly timely, normal manner.”

Ohmes said even though the soil warmed up around the normal time, the cold slowed down the planting by a week or two. Soybeans are also behind by about two weeks because of the moisture in the ground.

“Well we actually were in pretty good shape last week before the heat really hit, but you can definitely tell on the corn. It’s starting to wilt just a little bit where it’s not irrigated. But I think at this stage it’ll be okay, it just doesn’t need to be this hot when it starts to pollinate,” Deline said.

Even with this year’s erratic weather, local farmers still hope for high yields, and Mr. Deline says the markets are still favorable for crops.